Las Cruces City Council weighs historic preservation program

LAS CRUCES —City Council members debated the merits of establishing a program to maintain the city's historic buildings and homes and standardize preservation procedures at their Monday work session.

The proposed program would survey current historic properties, create a preservation commission, possibly designate new historic districts and establish a ordinance delaying demolition of historic buildings, planner Carol McCall told the council.

It would be implemented in two or three years.

Councilman Miguel Silva urged a shorter time line, saying many historic city buildings have already been demolished.

Councilwoman Olga Pedroza, however, said the ordinance the program would require is complex with possible legal ramifications as property owners have final say in demolitions.

"Let's take our time ... and deal with all these very complex issues," Pedroza said.

The survey of current historic buildings would cost the city $15,000 to $25,000, plus $100 to $200 for each additional building, McCall said.

The program would stabilize and possibly increase property values, McCall said, though it could lead to gentrification and economic hardship as owners meet preservation standards and see higher taxes.

Irene Oliver-Lewis, founder of Alma d'arte Charter High School, pointed to the school's location in the historic Court Youth Center as an example of successfully preserving a building facing demolition.

"The community does not want to see the demolition and heartbreak that went with urban renewal" of the 1960s and 1970s, when many historic locations were destroyed, she said.

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Council members also discussed naming the intermodal transit center, the city transportation hub set to open in July.

Members agreed to open the naming to the public and discussed offering a prize to whomever submits the winning name.

Lindsey Anderson can be reached at 575-541-5462. Follow her on Twitter @l_m_anderson